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He's got the total musician vibe going for him. My mouth waters as I take in his tight, fitted black t-shirt that accentuates his broad shoulders and muscled chest. Damn, those corded arms. He must get those from playing so much. I’m dying to know what it would feel like to have them wrap around me. His well-worn, perfectly fitting jeans and black boots round out his outfit to perfection.
I can tell the moment he spots me because his face splits into a grin, causing my belly to swirl with excitement. There’s something different about him tonight and as he steps closer to me, it hits me—his face is free of scruff. I like scruffy Jax, but clean shaven totally works, too. I wouldn’t kick either of them out of bed for eating crackers. Suddenly, I want to run my tongue along that chiseled jaw and kiss the living hell out of him.
When a car passes between us, breaking our connection, I’m brought back to my senses.
Where the hell did that come from?
Geez, Sloane. Get it together. You shouldn’t think about him like that. You’re helping him win this competition—and that’s it. Besides, even though he’s been a closet musician, he’s still a musician—and that has heartache written all over it. Especially with the way he looks as if he wants to devour me in this moment. I know I’m not imagining whatever this is between us. The tension with Jax is thicker than I’ve ever experienced with any man, and if I don’t get my shit together before my sisters arrive, they’ll see right through me.
The moment he steps up to my table, a devilish grin forms on his face. “I see you’re making every second count. You don’t need to stop on my account.” He may like to tease, but I love that he gets me.
“I’m good. I’ve got what I needed done for today; the rest is just a bonus.”
Pulling out a chair across from me, he sits. Then he leans forward against the table between us. “When will your sisters get here?”
“I’m not sure when Ryan and Lanie will arrive, but since he’s got a table reserved, I’m assuming they’ll all get here within the hour.”
“Does your sister have any clue?”
Shaking my head, I grin. “Nope. As far as she’s concerned, they’re just celebrating their anniversary tonight. He made a point to talk it up and say something about making sure he preorders a full marionberry pie from Nell. I think they’ll end up taking it to-go for a walk along the beach later. It’s sort of their thing.”
“Will he want the mic to propose? Or will it be something he keeps private?”
“Uh… shit… he never mentioned anything about it being public. I’m almost certain he’ll keep it private. But I have no idea to be honest.”
“I’ll just keep my eye out and go with the flow. By the way, if you have a few minutes tonight, I’d like to introduce you to my family when they arrive. They’re dying to meet the person who’s made me go viral.”
“Oh, Jax,” I quickly dismiss. “That was all you. I’m just the person who captured it on camera.”
Rolling his eyes, he mutters, “Whatever you say, Sloane.”
“Hey, Jax,” a girl’s voice calls from the street, interrupting my thoughts.
When I glance her way, she’s frantically waving in our direction. Not sure if this is someone he knows, or a newfound fan, I eye Jax warily. I’ll take his lead, whatever the case.
Thankfully, his eyes light up as he pops up from the table and closes the distance between them. As I glance around, I’m surprised to see not many tables left. I must’ve been so caught up in my work, I didn’t notice the crowd filing in.
As Jax and the girl walk to my table, they’re joined with an older couple I can only assume is his parents. Their family resemblance is uncanny. They each have dark hair, strong bone structure, and a different variation of blue eyes.
The kids are the perfect combination of their parents. Emily’s hair is a bit lighter in color; it’s long and flows past her shoulders, the same as her mom. She’s dressed in a pair of dark jeans and a gray zip-up hoodie. Though Jax is the tallest of them, his dad isn’t far behind him in height.
Looking at his dad, it’s like glancing into the future to see what Jax will become, especially since they’re both clean shaven. The only difference is Mr. Cartwright has a lot more laugh lines and is graying at his temples.
When Mrs. Cartwright smiles, I can clearly see where Jax inherited his. It lights up the room as she gushes, “You must be Sloane. It’s so nice to meet you.”
As I stand to greet them, she leans in for a hug.
Let me tell you, Mrs. Cartwright may be smaller than me in stature, but she’s a fierce hugger. It reminds me of Nana’s, and I promptly return it with all I’ve got. There’s nothing better than a good hug. When she releases me, I step back and say, “It’s so nice to meet all of you. I’m glad you could make it. You’re in for a treat tonight. Jax keeps getting better with each performance.”
Shaking her head, Mrs. Cartwright looks to Jax. “I still can’t believe you kept this from us for all these years. If it weren’t for you going viral, I’d have never known your talent.”
“Mom,” Jax admonishes. “I told you… none of this was planned or meant to be kept from you. It all just happened.”
“I’m so proud of you, son. I, for one, can’t wait to see you in front of a crowd,” his dad says as he pats Jax on the shoulder.
“Thanks, Dad. It should be quite the show.” Leaning in so that only his parents and I can hear, he whispers, “I’ve been asked to play a song so Ryan Murdock can propose tonight.”
“Oh my.” Mrs. Cartwright looks around. “Will his parents be here?”
